Is this bulimia?

Question

My sister binges and then "purges" with ex-lax. Iknow it may be a stupid question, but I only thought that vomiting was the purge of choice, since food hasn't reached your stomach so you won't gain weight and I'm not sure laxatives do the same...

Answer 1

Yes. Forms of purging can range from vomiting, to laxitives, or excessive exercise. I would talk to your parents and see if they can find help for your sister. Most therapy is covered under insurance if that may be your choice, or if you are more traditional, just have your mom talk to her and solve it. Most importantly, give her your support, and don't treat her differently. She's going through enough already. (but thats obvious)

Answer 2

She sounds as if she has bulimia, even though food travels through the stomach ,when you start abusing ex-lax or another from of laxative, it only expedites the process so your body is not absorbing the nutrients it needs. The only difference here between binging and anorexia is that she is eating a lot of food and then taking laxatives to remove them. Your stomach actually does little in the absorption of nutrients, it is your guts basically that do all the work of absorbing and if you're able to expedite that process then you actually gain very little nutritional value from them, so laxatives hurry the food right on out of the body...(ie no nutritional content...ie no weight..or very very little

Answer 3

She has bulimia,I had it for 6 yrs, I know all about it, but I never used exlax.

Answer 4

she has an eating disorder, tell her parents and call a doctor, she needs help now, if all else fails, write to "Dear Abby"

Answer 5

probably...binging is one of the signs...
have her checked though...to a psychologist...cause it's fatal!

Answer 6

sounds bulimic to me.